The son of a prominent physician and politician who served as Mayor of Oakland, State Senator and State Assemblyman, George Pardee was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. Born in San Francisco in 1857, he was raised in the family home in Oakland. He attended the University of California and Cooper Medical College before completing his studies and receiving his degree from the University of Leipzig, Germany in 1885. He joined his father’s medical practice where he specialized in diseases of the eye and ear.

He served on the Board of Health, the Oakland City Council, and eventually as Mayor of Oakland. After leaving office as governor he was president of the East Bay Municipal Utilities District. Pardee Dam, near Jackson, is named after him. His exposure to innovative conservation efforts taking place in Germany heavily influenced his political decisions, and as governor he was a strong supporter of conservation measures. Governor Pardee began an "open door" policy during his gubernatorial campaign signifying that his office would always be free of the perception of secrecy that had been associated with previous administrations.

Pardee had been a compromise candidate (often referred to as the “man in the middle” between the “Railroad Republicans” and the “Reform Republicans”). Thus, in order that neither faction of the Republican Party would think he was siding with the other, Pardee always kept his door open when meeting with members of the party. Rather than pleasing the factions equally, however, Pardee’s refusal to take sides left each faction equally displeased, and he was not renominated by his party at the end of the term.

Pardee secured funding for the Governor’s Mansion and was the first governor to live in it. The public may tour the historic mansion – home to 14 consecutive governors and their families – daily at 16th and H Streets in Sacramento.

A supporter of education, Pardee championed better pay for school teachers, and secured the University Farm at Davisville – now known as the University of California at Davis.

Pardee continued to practice medicine while in office. It was his custom to keep his medical bag on the hall table in the Governor’s Mansion in the event that he was needed to make a house call.

Pardee loved cigars, straw hats, and Florida Water cologne.